The Bible We want everyone to get it

The Bible We want everyone to get it.

September 11, 2011

Introduction

Today is often referred to as 9/11. I am aware of that, and I thought of doing a sermon about hate, and what hatred can do, and does. Last Thursday evening, Carolyn, Ken, and I attended the Dinner in Fort Worth, in honor of 50 years of work by European Missions. Ken has to be out of town today, but he was impressed by the accounts we were told, and said he was glad that though we are a small congregation, we can have a part in such a great work.

As we sat down to the table, there were two items of food on the table: a salad, and a piece of cake. The meal that goes between these would be served a bit later. As we finished the salad and looked at the cake, there was no one to stop us, and I had a bit of the dessert.

As the program progressed, there were hints that there was a special treat coming. It was referred to as “The Train Story.” Nine o’clock was approaching, and what was “The Train Story”? Then it came!

One of the Christians in a Communist country was riding on a train to get to his destination. The Conductor came through the train and noticed that the Christian had a Bible. He told the Bible from him and asked who he was, and what the book was. He said, oh, I’m a Christian, and that is my Bible. The Conductor said, “Well, if you’re an intelligent, educated man, you won’t be needing this,” and threw his Bible out the window. A short time after reaching his destination, he met one of the Christians working with EEM. He noticed that he looked very sad, and asked what had happened. He explained how he had lost his Bible. His friend said, “Don’t worry; we will get you another one.” He said, “But mine was marked up, and I could find anything I was looking for.”

About two years passed, and the two friends met again. This time, the man who had lost his Bible was smiling and happy as he was before losing his Bible. He was asked what happened, and he said, “I got my Bible back! Two boys were playing by the railroad track and found my Bible and took it to their parents who recognized it as a Bible. He had put his name and address in his Bible, so they mailed it back after having had it for two years. There was a note in the Bible. I said, “We apologize for keeping your Bible for so long, but it took us a long time to copy it!”

That’s the train story! Here was a family in a Communist country, so impressed by the Bible that they would take the time to copy it by hand so they could have a copy. As we sat there that night, there were many thoughts that went through my mind, and I just want to share some of these with you this evening.

Body

I. Those who sat in darkness have seen a great light.

(Isa 9:2 NKJV) The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined.

A. There is a fulfillment of this verse in the New Testament.

(Mat 4:13-17 NKJV) And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali, {14} that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: {15} "The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles: {16} The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned." {17} From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

B. Today, I see another fulfillment of that prophecy as people in the former Soviet Union, are now seeing the light.

C. Ministers of education are requesting Bibles to be studied in their public Schools.

1. One district asked for Bibles in the middle of the winter, and said they would come and get them in school buses and other vehicles.

2. We saw the video as buses loaded with Bibles struggled to get through the snow.

3. We saw a teacher talking to her students and telling them they were not to talk, and that they were to pay attention because these were words from God.

II. I had to do some comparisons in my mind with how we are doing in America.

A. Jesus made some comparisons as He was here on earth.

(Mat 12:41-42 NKJV) "The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here. {42} "The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here.

1. Bibles are abundant in our country, but how many of them are being read?

2. Are we experiencing a famine in the land?

(Amos 8:11 KJV) Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:

B. The children of the Kingdom will be cast out.

(Mat 8:11-12 NKJV) "And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. {12} "But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

C. God has greatly blessed America.

O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

III. The Gospel will be preached to the whole world, and then the end will come.

(Mat 24:6-14 NKJV) "And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. {7} "For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. {8} "All these are the beginning of sorrows. {9} "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake. {10} "And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. {11} "Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. {12} "And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. {13} "But he who endures to the end shall be saved. {14} "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

IV. Are we ready for the Lord’s return?

Bibles are all around is, but do we and those who are all around us know the Bible?
More importantly, do they know God? Do we know God?
Do our lives show it?
When the Lord comes back, will we be cast out because we were only lukewarm at best.

• (Rev 3:15-16 NKJV) "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. {16} "So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.

•

Conclusion

Are you ready?

Bible Study with Harley Sermons I have Preached

Rental Properties